James was unhappy that assistant manager Steve Harrison and goalkeeping coach Paul Barron had gone to Middlesbrough, and the uncertainty surrounding skipper Gareth Southgate, who also joined Boro yesterday.

James said: "It is fair to say we didn't see eye to eye on a few things. I put in a transfer request towards the end of last year, but things were resolved then and I signed a new contract for the right reasons.

"But then I didn't think Villa were moving in the right direction, and a few things materialised which made me think about my future in general.

"I don't want to slag off Villa, but Paul Barron was the best goalkeeping coach I have ever worked with, so with him leaving along with Gareth and Steve, I was losing the main members of my supporting cast."

James signed a four-year contract at Upton Park and then claimed: "I didn't want to leave Aston Villa."

James' arrival will cast a doubt over the future of Shaka Hislop, but Hammers boss Glenn Roeder is hoping he sees out the remaining year of his contract.

James' switch also pitches him into the same team as controversial Italian striker Paolo Di Canio, who he had a much-publicised bust-up with after a match between Villa and West Ham last season.

Di Canio is not due to report back until Saturday, but James insisted there was no bad blood between the two.

He said: "Paolo and I shook hands the last time we played and that is gone. He is a quality player who I admire for his ability, and that is all I have to worry about."